July 3, 2025 | 40 Years of STARS

Celebrating 40 years of STARS, June 2025

Every month, we’re collecting stories celebrating 40 years of STARS Allies, Very Important Patients, and Innovation. These were the stories we highlighted in the month of June 2025.

Forty Years of STARS Allies

Rumsey Ride

Participants of a past Rumsey Ride horseback riding fundraiser ride across the prairie for an event In Support of STARS

Since 1989, the Rumsey Ride for STARS has brought the Rumsey area together in support of critical care, anywhere. The trail ride and community gathering has grown into a full-day event, raising more than $1 million for STARS since it began. Today, the Rumsey Ride continues to shine and is the longest consecutively held fundraiser in STARS’ history!

Forty years of STARS Very Important Patients

Zach MacDonald

STARS Very Important Patient Zach MacDonald holds a copy of a STARS calendar in which he was featured as a boy.

Just days after his second birthday, Zach developed a life-threatening infection. STARS was called to quickly transport him to a children’s hospital for specialized care, arriving just in time. Nurses advised that he likely had only an hour to live. After seven days in the ICU, he left with a clean bill of health. Today, Zach is all in on school and baseball, with a bright future ahead of him. Read more about Zach’s story.

Forty years of STARS Innovation

Stretcher Pack Rack

STARS flight nurse Stuart Grant demonstrates the innovative use of the stretcher pack rack that goes on every STARS mission.

To enhance patient transfer efficiency, STARS introduced a new pack rack with a “clip-in, clip-out” design. This innovative design, initiated by STARS, enables the independent removal of either vertical side, eliminating the need to completely detach the assembly during patient transfers. Read more about this innovation.